Danish BioTech startup Cellugy secures €8.1 million to eradicate microplastics in personal care products
Cellugy, the industrial biotechnology startup developing innovative, biobased solutions to replace fossil-based materials in the personal care sector, has just secured €8.1 million to support scaling up the production of its biofabricated cellulose-based rheology modifier material, EcoFLEXY. The fresh capital comes in the form of a grant from the LIFE Programme, the European Union’s funding instrument for projects supporting environment and climate action.
The Søborg-based startup was founded in 2018. Their main product, EcoFLEXY, is designed to replace fossil-based carbomers, known as harmful microplastics, significantly reducing environmental pollution and the use of hazardous chemicals in the cosmetics sector. It delivers superior product performance and adaptable sensorial properties, along with scalable, operationally efficient manufacturing to meet the needs of a fast-evolving beauty industry focused on sustainability and innovation.
The release of microplastics from personal care products is a growing concern, as studies indicate that products such as facial scrubs and liquid soaps contribute to environmental pollution. Recent research also suggests that microplastics can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, raising questions about their potential impacts on human health. Rheology modifiers, for example, are essential to virtually every personal care product, from skincare and colour cosmetics to deodorants and oral care. However, nearly 70% of the €2.8 billion global rheology modifier (RM) market remains dependent on fossil-based carbomers and acrylates, which are classified under the EU’s REACH regulation due to their persistent and toxic nature.
Through the BIOCARE4LIFE project, EcoFLEXY is positioned to prevent the release of 259 tons of microplastics annually by project completion, scaling dramatically to 1,289 tons per year by 2034, equivalent to removing millions of contaminated beauty products from the market each year.
The timing of the project is crucial, as reports suggest the beauty industry could stand to lose around €12 billion due to the EU microplastics ban and US restrictions on PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” But the challenge is more than just a sustainability-related issue.
“An alternative material that simply aims to be more sustainable is not enough; the critical challenge is about delivering bio-based solutions that actually outperform petrochemicals in performance parameters like texture, functionality, and user experience, while also being scalable and operationally efficient,” explained Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and Co-founder at Cellugy. He continued: ”Good intentions won’t drive industry change; we need higher-quality alternatives like EcoFLEXY that make it easier, not harder, for brands to choose sustainability. Only when bio-based materials match or exceed the performance and economics of traditional ingredients will we see the transformation needed to protect both human health and our planet.”
EcoFLEXY aims to provide superior performance and previously unachievable functionalities compared to existing biobased ingredients, such as xanthan and cellulose gums, while eliminating the handling challenges associated with plant-nanocellulose alternatives. The biofabricated cellulose material delivers enhanced stability, compatibility, and sensoriality, critical factors for cosmetics manufacturers who cannot compromise on product quality while meeting growing sustainability demands. This bridges the gap between the performance of fossil-based modifiers and the environmental benefits of natural materials, enabling the creation of effective and eco-friendly personal care formulations.
The BIOCARE4LIFE project will drive EcoFLEXY’s scale-up process through the work of a specialist consortium of experts in biotechnology, sustainability, and data management: The Footprint Firm (TFF), a consultancy company focused on circular economy solutions and environmental impact validation, and Sci2sci, a Berlin-based startup specialising in data management, machine learning, and AI-driven process optimisation.
The €8.1 million investment will fund critical scaling activities, process optimization, and commercial validation over a four-year period.
Cellugy CEO Alvarez-Martos concluded: “This grant provides the resources we need to transform our vision into reality. Within three to five years, we expect to be generating significant revenue while delivering a measurable environmental impact. Our end goal is sweeping petrochemicals from an industry worth billions, and we now have the backing and the partnerships to make it happen.”
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